Gensheimer enjoys the departure celebration.
The man famous for his magical elbow, Uwe Gensheimer, comes to a halt: After a 20-year professional journey, he bids farewell to his career. The departure leaves the former German national team captain in a state of emotional turmoil. Even during his final game for the Rhein-Neckar Lions, he shockingly displays his signature skills.
As Uwe Gensheimer hugged his longtime teammates for the last time, the iconic players of Rhein-Neckar Lions had glistening eyes. The handball legend repeatedly inhaled deeply and tried to maintain control. "It's overwhelming," said Gensheimer on "Dyn": "I can manage it to a certain extent." After 20 years of working as a professional, the man with the magical elbow calls it a day.
"The day was filled with chills from head to toe," said Gensheimer on Thursday after the 21:34 (11:19)-defeat against the new German champion SC Magdeburg: "Naturally, I thought several times: I won't experience this again in this way. That's why it was essential for me to experience it one more time." Before he switches to management as the sporting director of the Lions, this final experience is something he wants to cherish forever.
Although he hadn't taken part in the current season due to a knee injury, Gensheimer craved a personal goodbye to his fans at the last Bundesliga game day. "I couldn't play much anymore. You've also noticed: It didn't work out for me anymore. I wanted to experience it all one more time," said the once-captain of the German national team.
Gensheimer gifted the Mannheim fans with four goals in his farewell speech. As usual, he bewitched the audience with his masterful throws, strategically scored into the net. "The 7-meter was nice, it was my treat," Gensheimer later shared with a grin. Shortly before the finish, less than a minute away, the Magdeburg players allowed Gensheimer to score one more goal. One last farewell, as Gensheimer soaked in the applause.
"Uwe is our icon," said Jennifer Kettemann, the club's business manager, in a "Dyn" interview about the club legend who will close his exceptional career after this season. 2003 marked the year when Gensheimer began his career with the North Badeners. Besides a three-year interlude from 2016 to 2019 at the French top club Paris Saint-Germain, he has been attached to his hometown club ever since.
Even Master Coach Bennet Wiegert, who affectionately hugged his opponent in the TV interview, could only praise his opponent. "It was often a pleasure to watch him. Where others would have broken their elbows, he pushed through and made it work," said the 42-year-old: "He is one of the greatest handballers that Germany and the world have ever had. On the left wing, but also in general."
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In the emotional farewell speech, Gensheimer treated the Mannheim fans with four handball goals, showcasing his signature masterful throws and strategically scored throws. Despite not being able to play in the current season due to a knee injury, Gensheimer yearned for a personal goodbye to his fans during the last Bundesliga game day, as Handball was his passion throughout his 20-year professional journey.
